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Norweigen Gem - Jan. 22nd, 2011 10 nites

Sail Date:
January 2011

Destination:
Eastern Caribbean

Embarkation:
New York (Manhattan)

We left on 1/22 out of N.Y. - getting into and on the ship went smooth. Baggage took an extremely long time arriving at our room. Room was so small - smallest I've ever experienced. By time you cram 4 bags in to the room, you had no room to turn around. Bed was comfortable, enough pillows. Cabin Steward was friendly but did not go out of their way to please you. On Princess and Royal Car. they seem to go into your room and tidy up every time you leave. Guess we were spoiled. Food in the cafe was ok, if you like eating the same thing day after day and after the 9 day we were ready to go. Dinner in the dining rooms were nice but we surely miss having the same table staff waiting on you, knowing what you like by the end of your cruise. This freestyle cruising for us if for the BIRDS! We did get to sit with different people each nite and enjoyed meeting new people but did not like the fact that the waitstaff do not go out of their way to please you. Hard to find them to get a coffee after More
dinner! We did splurge and bought the spa package offered, so we could go use it everyday, which we did. The staff there were terrific. I don't feel in order to get a good meal, we should have to pay more to go into one of their speciality restaurants. We did go into the Tequila rest. one evening and it was fantastic, but again expensive.

Going out of NY in Jan. was a mistake since it took 2.5 days to get to warm climate to enjoy the pool. The ports were great but our favorite was Tortola and hope to go back for a week. Overall, I would rate this cruise a 6 on a scale of 1-10. I do think with prepaid gratuities, the staff does not go the extra mile to please you in hopes of getting a good tip! Norweigen Wake up!!! Less

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Cabin review: IE5049

Very tiny room period. Smallest I've seen. Built in closet but hardly room to walk in with your luggage. Then once you unpacked, trying to store luggage was a problem. Bathroom was actually not as small as I've seen. Cabin steward was nice but did not go out of their way to see you were happy. Where we were it was quiet all but one night and we heard music up until the wee hours!

Port and Shore Excursions

San Juan was just ok/ Very busy. We did take a $10.00 tour on an open bus that seats 10-12 people and the older gentleman we had was fantastic. He truly enjoyed his job and was great at it. Best bang for the buck! Don't purchase on ship. Had conch at a restaurant and we did enjoy that very much.

We took a open taxi for $15.00 and worth every penny. This island is less busy and though the roads are very winding, it was a magnificent view. We went to the top and back down. Got to go to a beach and have a rum punch 2-$5.00 and did some shopping. Great tour and again, we did not book this on the ship. When you walk off the ship they are lined up ready to take a group. Safe and wonderful!